U.S.

Boy has first real birthday party, thanks to cops and Facebook friends

NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. — Even though he's turning 12, Saturday, Logan Pearson
celebrated for the first time with a big birthday bash, CBS Boston reports.

"In the past we'd like take him out to ice cream or something," Logan's
sister Cloey. "But now it's like the big day for him."

Logan is severely autistic and he can't speak. Logan’s family says throwing
a traditional party was never really possible

"As far as his birthdays in the past, they've always been a sad quiet day,"
said Logan's mom, Catherine, who decided to do something different for Logan's
12th birthday.

She
turned to Facebook, asking for birthday cards and wishes. The post went
viral and Logan wound up with thousands of messages, buckets of cards and a big
fan at the Cambridge Police Department

"(The post) was brought to my attention by my better half, my girlfriend,"
said Cambridge police officer Steven Bikofsky. "When I realized he was in
Andover, I knew he was a special boy and I figured we'd do something special
for him."

Bikofsky organized a surprise birthday celebration complete with gifts, cake
and a lot of cops. Police from 10 different departments across Massachusetts
joined at a North Andover Fuddruckers to celebrate with Logan.

"If it didn't tug at your heart strings, you didn't have a heart," said
Andover police Lt. Edward Guy.

The soon-to-be-12-year-old arrived in style. His family's car was flanked by
police cruisers.

"It just exploded into this police escort to just show Logan how important
he is," beamed Catherine. "I just can't believe it."

Catherine said she feels humbled by the birthday party 12 years in the
making. "Logan is loved around the world, so it's not a sad birthday anymore."